Facebook commenting on Record-Bee web site

The Lake County Record-Bee recently introduced a new article commenting system on its web site, www.record-bee.com. Commenting is enabled via Facebook, the social networking site, and requires a Facebook account. The Record-Bee published the following information to explain Facebook commenting.

We are testing a new article commenting system in an effort to improve the experience for our users and allow them to more easily share their comments with their Facebook friends. To comment on an article, you must log in to Facebook. You can then choose to share the comment with your friends.

Let us know what you think of the new commenting system here. letters@record-bee.com

Frequently asked questions

Q. Do I need to have a Facebook account to comment on articles? 

A. Yes, but only if you want to comment directly on the article. You also have the option of submitting a letter to the editor here letters@record-bee.com

Q. Will my friends on Facebook see my article comments?

A. Yes, but only if you leave the box check-marked "Post my comment to my Facebook profile" next to the "Post" button.

Q. Will people be able to click on my Facebook profile from my article comment?

A. Yes, but what they see is determined by your Facebook privacy settings. Those settings allow you to decide how much information you want to share with your friends or others.

Q.Why do I see my Facebook ID and photo on the bottom of an article when I haven't posted a comment?

A.The article commenting social plugin adds a bit of Facebook to the bottom of each story. If you are already logged in to your Facebook account on another browser tab or window you will see your Facebook ID and photo along with the empty commenting box. Your Facebook ID and photo are not visible to other readers unless you choose to post a comment.

Q. Do you only want positive comments?

A. No, we want to encourage discussion about topics in stories. But please be civil. Comments that use foul, derogatory, racist or violent language will be removed.

Q. Why did you make the switch to Facebook commenting?

A. We've found that more people join the conversation and article commenting becomes more civil when a person is easily identifiable with their name and face attached to a comment. In the past we have asked our readers numerous times to avoid vulgar, hateful and racist comments in their postings. Although most have, there are still numerous postings made at all hours of the day by a few people. We were able to remove their postings, but unable to remove their ability to post new messages or block their access. This has led some people to avoid the postings, which we feel are important to discuss issues important to our readers.